Tire-channel-cleaning device.



PATENTED NOV. 26, 1907. w. c. WEGNBR, TIRE CHANNEL CLEANING DEVICEAPPLICATION FILED NOV. 9. 1906.

2 sn'nnrs-snnnr 2.

WILLIAM C. WEGNER, OF LAPORTE, INDIANA.

TIRE-CHANNEL-CLEANING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 26, 1907.

Application filed November 9. 1906. Serial No. 342,750,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM O. VVEGNEE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Laorte, in the eountyof Laporte and State of ndiana, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Tire-Channel-Cleaning Devices,of which the following is a specification. This invention relates tocleaning devices for cushion or pneumatic tire-receiving channels; andthe object thereof is to provide a cleaning device for the purpose setforth whereby the cleaning of the channel is vastly facilitated andquickly accomplished.

Although the invention is particularly de signed for the cleaning oftire-receiving channels, yet it is to be understood that the device isadapted for any purposes wherein it is clutching members.

found applicable.

Further objects of the invention consist in providing a cleaning devicefor the purpose set forth, which shall be simple in its construction,strong, durable, adjustable, eflicie-nt in its use, readily set up andcomparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore specifically described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which come within the scope of the claims hereuntoappended.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which- Figure 1is a side elevation of a cleaning device in accordance with thisinvention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the supporting frame. Fig. 3is a section on line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 1s a like view on line 44 ofFig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are views showing the Fig. 7 is a view of thetension lever carried by its support. Fig. 8 is a perspective view ofthe handle for rotating the object to be cleaned. Fig. 9 is aperspective view of the cutting wheel and its support. I

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, a channel-cleaningdevice in accordance with this invention embodies a su porting frameformed of a pair of vertica ly-extending bars 1, 2, which are suitablyspaced apart and which terminate at each end in an angularly-disposedportion 3, which is ad apted to be secured to an upright or othersuitable supporting means 4. The angularlydisposed portions 3 hold. thebars 1, 2 a sufficient distance from the supporting means 4.

A brace 5 is provided for the frame, said brace being attached to thebars 1, 2 intermediate the ends thereof and also secured to thesupporting means 5.

The reference character 6 denotes a wheelsupporting spindle, which atits inner end, terminates in a pair of rearwardly-extending arms 7, 8having their inner ends secured to the supporting means 4, as at 9. Thearms 7, 8 are clamped to the bars 1, 2 through the medium of a pair ofclutch members 10, 11 so that the spindle will be fixedly secured to thesaid bars 1, 2. Each of the clutch members 10, 11 has the inner facethereof provided with a vertically-extending pair of grooves 12,separated by a wall 13, the latter having an opening 14 centrallydisposed thereof. The outer face of each of the members 10, 1 1 isformed with alongitudinally-extending groove 15. WVhen the clutchmembers are in position they are arranged between the arms 7 8 so thatthe bars 1, 2 will extend through the grooves 12 and the arms 7, S willseat in the grooves 15. The clutch members are then secured in clampingposition around the bars 1, 2 through the medium of a hold-fast deviceconsisting of a bolt 16 and a nut 17. The bolt extends through theopenings 14 of the members and when the nut 17 is screwed home themembers securely clamp the arms 7,8 to the rods 1, 2. H

Adjustably connected to the upper ends of the rods 1, 2 is a slottedsuspension arm 18, the slot thereof being somewhat elongated and isindicated by the reference character 19. The arm 18 extends at rightangles with respect to the rods 1, 2 and is pivotally mounted at itsinner end upon a collar 20 se cured upon a screw-threaded member 21,which is secured to a clutch piece 22 and is adapted to extend through aclutch piece 22. These clutch pieces are adapted to be adjust ablyclamped to the bars 1, 2 and have abutting flanged ends 23, and theclutch piece 22 is extended so as to form a bearing for the inner endofthe arm 18. vided upon the screw-threaded member 21 for clamping theclutch pieces 22 and 22 around the members 1, 2. Fixed upon the member21 at the side of the collar 20 is a depending arm 25 and the said arm25' is retained in position upon the member 21 by a wing nut 26. By suchan arrangement it will be evident when the nuts 24, 26 are loosened theclutch pieces 23 can be vertically' adjusted upon the bars 1, 2, therebyelevating. and lowering the member 2 1, which will carry the suspensionarm 18 therewith as well as the arm 25.

Adjustably connected to the suspension arm 18, as well as depending fromsaid arm 18, is a fork 27, which constitutes a cutter holder, and,rotatably mounted in the lower portion of said fork 27 is a serratedwheel 28 which constitutes the cutting tool. The wheel 28 has taperingsides-that is to say, the sides thereof from the axis of the wheel taperinwardly so as to compensate for the increase in the width and depth ofthe channel during the cleaning of the sidewalls and bottom of thechannel. The serrations or teeth of the wheel 28 are of such depth thatthe wheel will not only clean the bottom of the channel, but the sidewalls as well, so, consequently the periphery, as well as a portion ofthe sides of the wheel, will form a cut ting means for cleaning thebottom and side.

walls of the channel. The wheel 28 is rotatably mounted upon a spindle29 suitably connected in the fork 27 and upon the spindle 29 and betweenthe sides of the wall and arms of the fork, spacing collars 30 are provided to prevent lateral displacement of the wheel. The fork 27 islongitudinally adjustable, and in this connection it will be stated thatthe shank of the fork, which is indicated by the reference character 31,has a portion of its length screw-threaded and the said shank 31 extendsup through the slot 19 in the arm 18 and the said screw-threaded portionof the shank 31 carries on its upper end a wing nut 32 for adjustablyconnecting the fork 27 to the arm 18.

T 0 further hold the cuttingv tool in operative position in the channelas it is being cleaned a coiled tension spring 33 is provided and whichat its lower end is attached to an angular portion 34 of a lever arm 35and at its upper end is connected to a screw-threaded member 36 whichextends up through the slot 19 in the suspension arm 18 and the saidmember 36 carries on itsupper end a wing nut 37. By such an arrangementthe tension of the spring 33 can be increased or diminished as desired.To furthermore provide for increasing the tension of the spring 33 theangular end 34 of the lever 35 is formed with a series of notches38 inany one A'wing nut 24 is proof which the lower end of the spring 33 canbe connected. From such an arrangement it will be evident that as theend of the spring 33 is moved nearer to the pivot of the lever thetension of the spring 33 will be decreased, but when moved further fromthe pivot of the lever, owing to the fact that the portion 34 dependsdownwardly, the tension of the spring 33 will be increased.

The lever 35 is pivoted to the lower end of the arm 25 and in thisconnection it will be stated that the lever 35 has a plurality ofopenings 39 for the detachable pivot 39 which extends through one ofsaid openings and connected tothe arm 25. By providing the plurality ofopenings 39 the pivot 39 can be shifted from one or' the other so thatthe fulcrum point of the lever 35 can be placed at various positionsupon the arm 25 and which will furthermore act as a means to increaseand decrease the tension of the spring 33. The lever 35 is provided withahandle 40 and also with a catch 41 which is adapted to engage one sideof the arm 25 so that the movement of the lever will. be arrested in onedirection. This will be evident owing to the fact that when the partsare in the position as shown in Fig. 1 the action of the spring 33 willhave a tendency to elevate the end 34 of the lever 35 so as to shift theupper portion of the lever 35 past the arm 25, but owing to theengagement of the stop 41 with the arm 25 such movement of the upperportion of the lever 35 will be arrested. When it is desired to releasethe tension upon the spring 23 the lever 35 is sprung past the arm 25.Such movement of the lever will cause the expanding of the spring 33 andthe holding of the suspension arm down so that the cutting tool will beretained in operative position in the channel.

WVhen the angular end 34 of the lever 35 is I elevated the tension uponthe spring 33 will be decreased, and, consequently the arm 18 can beelevated so as to remove the cutting wheel out of the channel. Tofacilitate the removal of the arm 18 an elevating spring 43 is providedand which, when the spring 33 is released, will automatically elevatethe arm 18 and remove the cutting wheel from the channel. The spring 43is secured at one end to one of the clutch pieces 23 and at its otherend extends down and under and suitably connects with the arm 18.

Upon the spindle 6 at its inner end is fixed a flanged collar 44 and uon the outer end of the spindle a double anged collar 45 is detachablysecured, and between the said collars is positioned the wheel 46, therim of which is provided with a channel which is to be cleaned by thedevice. A handle 47 is provided for turning the wheel and the saidhandle 47 is carried by an arm 48 which is forked at its lower end toextend between the flanges of the collar 45 and at its other end isformed with an angularly-extending fork 49, which straddles one of thespokes of the wheel, and to prevent the slipping of the fork 49 ofi thespoke, a pivoted screw member 50 is provided which carries a wing nut51, which, when screwed home, will cause'the clamping of the spokebetween thefork49 and the member 50.

The invention is particularly adapted for use in cleaning thetire-receiving channels in the rims of wheels when it is desired to relace a new tire for an old one. When the olil tire is removed thechannel is found to contain dirt, as well as iron rust on the bottom andsides. The dirt is unusually hard to remove and the same is true of theiron rust. Sometimes it takes more than an hour to clean one channelwith a chisel and file, but by the use of a cleaning device inaccordance with this invention, the operation of cleaning the tire isfacilitated and quickly accomplished.

It will be assumed when cleaning a tire by a device in accordance withthis invention that the wheel is in position upon the spindle 6 and thatthe handle 47 has been secured to one of the spokes of the wheel. Thetire being removed out of the channel, the cutting tool is thenpositioned within the channel and the spring 33 causes the cutting toolor wheel to remain in the channel. The channel wheel is then turned andthe action of the cutting tool or wheel rapidly removes the dirt, aswell as rust from the sides and bottom of the channel, therebythoroughly cleaning the channel.

What I claim is 1. A device of the character described comprising aframe, asupport pro'ecting laterally therefrom for the object to ecleaned, clamps for securing the support to the frame, a suspension armextending laterally from the frame, clamps for adjustably connecting thearm to the frame, a cutting element adj ustably'connected to the arm, aspring having one end. attached to the arm, a lever having an angularend adapted to have the other end of the spring adj ustably connectedthereto, said lever adapted to increase the tension of the springthereby retaining the cutting element in engagement with the object tobe cleaned, and means for automatically moving the cutting element outof engagement 1 with the object when the tension upon said spring isreleased.

2. A device of the character described comprising a frame, a supportprojecting laterally therefrom for the object to be cleaned, clamps forsecuring the support to the frame, a suspension arm extending laterallyfrom the frame, clamps for adj ustably connecting the arm to the frame,a cutting element adj ustably connected to the arm, a spring having oneend attached to the arm, a lever having an angular end adapted to havethe other end of the spring adj ustably connected there to, said leveradapted to increase the tension of the spring thereby retaining thecutting element in engagement with the object to be cleaned, means forautomatically moving the cutting element out of engagement with theobject when the tension upon said spring is released, and means engagingthe'support and adapted to engage the object for rotating it.

3. A cleaning device comprising a frame, a swingingsuspension armprojecting laterally from the frame, means for adjustably clamping thearm to the frame, a cutting element carried by the arm, alever carriedby the frame and having an angular end, a spring 11 aving one endconnected to the frame and the other end to the angular end of thelever, said lever when moved in one direction adapted to increase thetension of the spring and when moved in the opposite direction to relaxthe tension, said spring adapted when tension is applied thereto toretain the cutting element in engagement with the object to be cleaned,a laterally extending member clamped to the frame and adapted to supportthe object to be cleaned, and means for automatically moving the cuttingelement out of engagement with the object when the tension upon saidspring is released. a

4. A cleaning device comprising a frame, a swinging suspension armprojecting laterally from the frame, means for adjustably clamping thearm to the frame, a cutting element carried by the arm, a lever carriedby the frame and having an angular end, a spring having one endconnected to the frame and the other end to the angular end of thelever, said lever when moved in one direction adapted to increase thetension of the spring and when moved in the opposite direction to relaxthe tension of said spring adapted when tension is applied thereto toretain. the cutting element in engagement with the object to be cleaned,a laterally extending member clamped to theframe and adapted to supportthe object to be cleaned, means for automatically moving the cuttingelement out of engagement with the object when tension upon said springis released, and means for engaging said member and adapted to engagethe object for rotating it.

5. A cleaning device comprising a sup porting frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting from the frame for supporting theobject to be cleaned, a handle for turning the object connected at oneend with said spindle and adapted to be detachably clamped at its otherend to the object, a vertically adj ustable tensioned suspension armprojecting laterally from said frame, releasable means for applyingtension to said suspension arm,

means for cleaning the object carried by said arm, and means forautomatically removing said cleaning means from engagement with theobject when the tension upon the said arm is released.

6. A cleaning device comprising a supporting frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting from the frame for supporting theobject to be cleaned, a handle for turning the object connected at oneend withsai d spindle and adapted to be detachably clamped at its otherend to the object, a vertically-adjustably tensioned suspension arm.projecting laterally from said frame, releasable means for applyingtension to said suspension arm, means for cleaning the object carried bysaid arm, means for automatically removing said cleaning means fromengagement with the object when the tension upon the said arm isreleased, and means carried by the frame for increasing and decreasingthe tension upon said arm.

7. A cleaning device comprising a support ing frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting from the frame for supporting theobject to be cleaned, a vertically-adjustable suspension arm projectinglaterally from said frame, means for cleaning the object carried by thearm, a releasable spring connected at one end to said arm, a leverhaving an angular end engaging with one end of the spring for increasingthe tension of the spring, thereby retaining the cleaning means inengagement with the object to be cleaned, means carried by the lever forincreasing and decreasing the tension of. the spring, and means forautomatically removing the cleaning means from engagement with theobject when the tension upon said spring is released.

8. A cleaning device comprising a support ing frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting from the frame for supporting theobject to be cleaned, a vertically-adjustable suspension arm projectinglaterally from said frame, means for cleaning the object carried by thearm, a spring connected at one end to said arm, a lever having anangular end engaging with one end of the spring for increasing thetension of the spring, thereby retaining the cleaning means inengagement with the object to be cleaned, said lever provided with meansfor increasing and decreasing the tension of the spring, means forautomatically removing the cleaning means from engagement with theobject when the tension upon said springis released, and a handle forrotating the object connected at one end with said spindle and at itsother end adapted to be detachably'clamped to the object.

9. A cleaning device for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting therefrom and adapted to supportthe object to be cleaned, asuspen sion armprojecting laterally from theframe, a cutting means adjustably connected to said arm, means foradjustably connecting one end of said spring to said arm, and a leversupported by the frame and having an angular end. engaging with theother end of the spring for applying tension to the spring therebyretaining the cutting means in engagementwith the object to be cleaned,said lever provided with means for increasing and decreasing the tensionof the spring.

10. A cleaning device for thepurpose set forth comprising a frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting therefrom and adapted to supportthe object to be cleaned, a suspension arm projecting laterally from theframe, a. cutting means adjustably connected to said arm, means foradjustably'connecting one end of said spring to said arm, a leversupported by the ame and having an angular end engaging with the otherend of the spring for applying tension to the spring, t ereby retainingthe cutting means in engagement with the object to be cleaned, saidlever provided with means for increasing and decreasing the tension ofthe spring, and means engaging with said arm for automatically removingthe cutting means from engagement with the object when the tension uponsaid spring is released.

11. A cleaning device for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting therefrom and adapted to supportthe object to be cleaned, a suspen- 810118411171 projecting'laterallyfrom the frame,

a cutting means adjustably connected to saidarm, means for adjustablyconnecting one end of said spring to said arm, a lever supported by theframe and having an angular end engaging with the other end of thespring for applying tension to the spring, thereby retaining the cuttingmeans in engagement with the object to be cleaned, said lever providedwith means for increasing and decreasing the tension of the spring, anda handle for rotating the object having one end engaging with saidspindle and its other end adapted to be detachably clamped to theobject.

12. A cleaning device for the purpose set forth comprising a frame, alaterally-extending spindle projecting therefrom and adapted to supportthe object to be cleaned, a suspension arm projecting laterally from theframe,

a cutting means adjustably connected to said arm, means for adjustablyconnecting one end of said spring to said arm, a lever supported by theframe and having an angular end engaging with the other end of thespring for applying tension to the spring thereby retaining the cuttingmeans in engagement with the object to be cleaned, said lever providedwith means for increasing and decreasing the tension of the spring, ahandle for rotating the object having one end en agim my hand inpresence oftwo subscribing Witwflih sjtid s fiimile eind itsdothef1 en%a aptea nesses. to e etac abycam e tot e0 ject,and meansfor automatica1y removing the -cut I WVILLIAM W 5 ting means from engagement with theobject Witnesses: y

when the tension upon said spring is released. WILLIAM T. ANDERsEN,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set FREDRICK MILLER.

